Overseers Annual Report,
Calendar Year 2012
During the year 2012 the Overseers Committee, attended to pastoral care, keeping in touch with members via a calling tree by dividing the membership directory alphabetically, publishing that in the directory and online, and also responding to answering machine and website messages. Should inclement weather take place it is agreed that the clerk of meeting and communications clerk will e-mail closing information to the meeting and Overseers will contact local computer free members and attenders. Friendly support was offered privately to members experiencing a variety of life challenges. Oversight committees from marriages in years past are reminded to continue their oversight as part of the couple being "under the care of the meeting."
The file of Declarations of Memorial Intentions was maintained by Nancy Mullen and Marsie Hawkinson. Members wishing to complete a Declaration of Memorial Intentions for death may complete the form in the upcoming newsletter.
Memorial Meeting for Worship was held for Peggy Paul. John Todd's memorial service while elsewhere was well attended by Friends. Stephanie Bonn requested a plaque for her former husband Wayne, a situation being handled by Dee Rein and Larny Claggett.
Under the organization of John Hawkinson with contacts made by the Overseers the directory is continually updated online. Members and Attenders are encouraged to check that their information is up to date at our website.
The clearness process as detailed in Faith and Practice was followed for membership requests. Clearness committees may also be used to resolve issues between members in conflict or for confidential clearness around personal discernment issues. Clearness committee volunteers were A. P.-Z., Candace Shattuck, Lorraine B. Claggett, Leigh Anne Dodge, Rob Wieland, Larissa Kitenko, Adrienne Rudge, Norval Thompson, Doreen Getsinger, and Marsie Hawkinson.
New members were welcomed during 2012 were Cynthia Quast and Catherine Cripps. Each was offered a 6-month gift subscription of Friends Journal from the meeting.
A New Members and Attenders recognition luncheon was well attended on March 4th. Speakers included Brandt Bethke, Frank Zeigler and Molly Burgoyne as well as comments by members. The potluck was, as always, delicious and the attendance filled the Common Room to bursting.
Overseers were pleased to see Nathan Mullen, Lucy Bond and Emma Leibman attend Quaker schools, perhaps partially as a result of the visitation by Quaker schools organized the preceding year.
Members were contacted intermittently by phone and mail throughout the year in an effort to keep in touch and encourage participation in the aforementioned events. When an attender's daughter was hospitalized, members organized with the help of Beth Mufson to provide meals for the family. Another member received transportation aid while receiving treatments in Seaford.
During the year the committee thoughtfully considered varied topics, including the needs of senior and disabled member and attenders. This ongoing initiative included a presentation to the committee by Deborah Cox based on her expertise in the area and the decision to sponsor a Focus Group meeting on March 9th to solicit topics of need and the best presentation methods for addressing them. Stay tuned for further information!
Another need of our youngest members and attenders was satisfied by a Soft and Silent Toy Basket initiated by Molly Burgoyne and currently available at the meeting entrance. Families are encouraged to select a toy for use during the early part of the meeting before the children leave for First Day School.
Per Faith and Practice,
"A Committee of Overseers is appointed to assume leadership in maintaining a caring community, helping all members to find their right roles as nurturers of others."
Overseers goals include providing oversight to the ministry of the life of the meeting and acting as a conduit for clearness, especially in cases of membership, unions (marriage/commitment) or personal discernment. All members and attenders are encouraged to allow Overseers to be of service in times of need. We stand at the ready to help and welcome your ideas for future efforts on behalf of the meeting. We thank all Friends who minister to each other as that is the essence of the Religious Society of Friends.
Respectfully submitted,
Dee Rein, Clerk, Nancy Robbins, Assistant Clerk, Doreen Getsinger,
Marsie Hawkinson, Molly Bond, Larissa Kitenko, Norval Thompson, Adrienne Rudge, Mary Cotton, Ann Williams, John Schreiner, and Molly Burgoyne.